Domaine Bellegarde Moelleux Cuvee Thibault 2004
Other White Blends
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Robert
Parker
Sold Out - was $21.99
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You purchased this 8/16/23
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You purchased this 8/16/23
Product Details
Varietal
Producer
Vintage
2004
Size
750ML
ABV
13.5%
Your Rating
Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
This Jurançon surprises: already a wine of enjoyment, this has a the character of an age-worthy wine. Yellow-gold in color with incredible brightness. The background has hints of smoke while the bouquet is dominated by tangerines and fruit confit. In the mouth, the balance is harmonious and rich. There is a favorable evolution of flavors, a dominant core of exotic fruits. This will age well for a decade.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
While I am cheating since its price of $25 applies to a 500 ml. bottle, I did not want to miss this opportunity to report on Bellegarde’s 100% old vines Petit Manseng 2004 Jurancon Cuvee Thibault because if you want to discover the genuine mysteries of Jurancon, here is the real deal! The concentration and sweetness of this wine (like most of its genre) originated in spontaneous desiccation of lateharvested fruit, not in botrytis. Musky, floral, candied citrus rind, and indelicate butcher shop aromas guarantee you will do a double take over a glass of this elixir (whether or not you proceed!). A veritable explosion of citrus zest, honey and flowers in the mouth continues to be accompanied by musky, carnal notes that make you wonder how they can come from grapes. The long, haunting finish is only subtly sweet, since somehow a mere 5.6 grams acidity has rendered 180 grams of residual sugar practically irrelevant. Such are the mysteries of this ultimate foie gras wine, which however will be found remarkably versatile by those who keep a bottle on hand. It will remain fresh for at least a week in your refrigerator and evolve fascinatingly in bottle for at least a dozen years.
Nestled in the heart of Monein's steep hills, Domaine Bellegarde is owned by the 4th generation of the Labasse family, who created the vineyard in 1926, after moving from Louisiana. It has a silt-clay soil with a lot of pebbles left by torrents and glaciers from the Pyrénées. The vinyard covers 37 acres planted with the two main varietals of the Jurancon AOC: Petite Manseng (60%) and Gros Manseng (40%).
In 1920, the grandfather started planting vines and fixed the Labasse’s family destiny. Andre, in 1960, and his son Pascal in1985 successively took over the familial tradition.
Since 1926, Domaine Bellegarde has produced dry and sweet white wines from the AOC of Jurancon. Today, Pascal Labasse continues the tradition of making dry and sweet wines.
Biodynamic Farming
Winemaker: Pascal Labasse
FBVW1488_2004 Item# 108372